The Streak Falters

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IronNoggin
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The Streak Falters

Post by IronNoggin »

For the first time...

I was born into an extremely outdoor oriented Family & Clan.
Had me headed up the trails to elk and mulie hunting camps, horseback behind Pa, at the ripe old age of four.
That was to set the stage for the rest of my life...

Jump forward to eleven years of age, and I managed to take my first deer.
A four point mulie with Ma's 250-3000.
That was also setting the stage for the balance of my life.

I have not missed a season since...

This year I was only so-so on the blacktail hunting.
With the understanding that I would once again be taking in the late whitetail archery season, I let several wander and was very VERY fussy regarding what I was looking for.
Almost completely gave up on them when it became apparent that the rut was over, and buck sightings dropped right off.

Shot the bow, tweaked it, and was rather happy with the way it performed.
Bang on the money all the way out to 100 yards.
Then paced awaiting my departure to the mainland...

Then that awful call...
My Partner & his entire family came down with one of the new strains of Covid.
And it hit them like a ton of bricks.
In fact my Partner and his Lady are still suffering.
Obviously no whitetails for me this year...

So, back after blacktails with my local partner.
And we literally POUNDED it for many many days.
Hundreds of miles on the trucks, and a hell of a lot of wear on the boot leather.
Alas, as I wandered out of the hills in the dark last night (last day) it was now apparent not only no whitetails, but no deer nor big game coming my way at all this year...

Reflecting back over my hunting history, I realize I have been blessed.
This is the 53rd year I have engaged without ever missing a season.

But my Streak just snapped.
First time in those 53 years I have not enjoyed some element of success on big game. :wtf:
And that stings.
Stings even more when I gaze into my empty freezers... :thumbdown:

Always next year I know, but I actually thought I would never ever see this day.
And I most certainly will not pass any opportunity down the road.
Foolish mistake in retrospect...

Somber mood around our little Hacienda for the next few methinks...

No Cheers to this one Folks,
Matt
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
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IronNoggin
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by IronNoggin »

Sad Movies...

Two interesting things yesterday:

Found a site where a female cougar taught her two kittens how to kill a fawn.
They drug it downhill into the bush & my Partner wandered in after them (with no gun).
Heard him say Holy Chit as the three bolted off the carcass! :shock:

Saw a deer bedded at around 200 yards.
HUGE.
Gotta be a buck I mumbled to myself.
Sat up on it with a good rest for the rifle, and waited for it to stand up (had branches behind it's head & I wanted to be damn sure!).

It eventually did, and walked out to where the snow behind it gave a clear look.
No antlers??
Biggest damn doe I have ever seen on The Rock.
In fact bigger than the vast majority of bucks I've taken over the years!
Massive!

The end of my first season of nada... :shifty:
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janesy
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by janesy »

That's my season last year, and likely this year. To much stuff happening.
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DuckHunt
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by DuckHunt »

Sometimes life happens. Occasionally things happen that cause hunting to have to take a back seat.

My streak has a hole in it for Y2K (2000). It's not that I didn't go. It was my 2nd year in our current house and I was hunting very over-hunted public land near the house. I didn't fire a shot all season. During the last ten minutes of the gun season, some local dogs bumped some deer and ran a couple up into a thicket not 50 yards from me. Being a doe only season, I tried my best to ID the sex, but it just wasn't possible up in the thicket. They slowly walked away with my last chance for that season.

I would have felt worse about it if I didn't get a chance to go.
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IronNoggin
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by IronNoggin »

DuckHunt wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:23 pm
 I would have felt worse about it if I didn't get a chance to go.
There is that indeed!
Wandered many days, saw lots of critters, and enjoyed.
That does help!

Cheers
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gerald strine
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by gerald strine »

While no harvest stings now it will make next years success that much sweeter.
You did get to go afield as mentioned so you have that blessing .
Hunt eat sleep repeat.
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flightattendant100
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by flightattendant100 »

I bet you are already waiting on and planning next year! Dont let it get you down, Nog. You will just hit 'em harder next time you get a chance.
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AJ01
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by AJ01 »

Brother Matt,
As this younger generation often says, "I feel ya"!! :wtf:

A couple of years back, I had started a new business. Was working my tail off. I promised myself I'd take the time to go hunting.
I did a few days, but like you, never saw anything that piqued my interest. Then it got close to the end of Archery Season and that meant no Doe harvest.
I had a panic attack!! I had to kill a Doe... :shock:
Determined to kill at least one Doe, I never saw one the remainder of the season. :thumbdown:

Well, work got in the way. I'd hadn't had that happen since I was a rookie patrolman and had to work because everyone else was on vacation. :lol:
I ended up NOT taking a single deer that season. My first, in many years.
And like you I thought "Dang"!! That sucks!! :eusa-doh:

I said, "What the heck" and threw myself into work. Didn't go deer hunting the rest of the season. Got the job finished but made me quite unhappy.
First time in a long time I hadn't taken a deer.
"The Boss" threatened me if my attitude didn't change, I'd be sleeping in the barn!! :think:

Well, a friend of mine came to the rescue, out of the blue he called and said, "Wanna go hunt Axis?"
Of course, I jumped at the opportunity.

Matt knowing your tenacity, you'll be back at it twice as strong next season.
In the meantime.... Go Fish!! :thumbup:

Thanks for sharing...
AJ
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Carnivorous
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by Carnivorous »

Bummer Matt! It happens to the best of us. One year I was in your shoes. Made one last ditch effort late season muzzleloader hunt in Michigan and was able to shoot a couple does. Things were looking pretty bleak that year...
A touch of frost has heightened your awareness and your heart steadily beats in anticipation. Your senses are suddenly alert to the movement on the forest floor and you realize that the moment of truth is at hand.
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IronNoggin
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by IronNoggin »

Thanks Fella's. Appreciated. :thumbup:

While I knew this might eventually happen, I am still somewhat in shock that it actually did.
My local hunting partner had a great rifle season, and has offered to donate half a whitetail to us.
At least we will get our taste. Going to HOARD that for sure!
Great Hunting Partner to offer that btw.

And yeah, plans are heavy afoot for next year!
This will NOT happen again!

Cheers,
Nog
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ko4nrbs
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by ko4nrbs »

Hang in there!! I have had my share of bad luck to. Took me several years hunting in Oklahoma before I found a place that consistently produced results. Now we have moved to Alabama and I am starting all over again.

Wishing you a much better deer season next year.

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Boo
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by Boo »

Matt, it really is a bummer for this year but at least you don't have work getting in the way of hunting all the time!
Some people just like stepping on rakes
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IronNoggin
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by IronNoggin »

Boo wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 13, 2023 9:36 am
 Matt, it really is a bummer for this year but at least you don't have work getting in the way of hunting all the time!
It does in the early seasons.
I am usually engaged right through to November...

Cheers
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
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IronNoggin
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by IronNoggin »

An old Buddy called last night.
He has a Farmer Friend with deer problems on one of the Gulf Islands.
Asked if I wanted in.
HELL YES! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Might be a chance I can redeem my streak yet!!

Fingers Crossed for mid January!

Cheers,
Nog
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
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Carnivorous
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Re: The Streak Falters

Post by Carnivorous »

IronNoggin wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 19, 2023 4:14 pm
 An old Buddy called last night.
He has a Farmer Friend with deer problems on one of the Gulf Islands.
Asked if I wanted in.
HELL YES! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Might be a chance I can redeem my streak yet!!

Fingers Crossed for mid January!

Cheers,
Nog
Fantastic!

Wishing you a successful trip... 😀
A touch of frost has heightened your awareness and your heart steadily beats in anticipation. Your senses are suddenly alert to the movement on the forest floor and you realize that the moment of truth is at hand.
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